Soap Peddler Kimberly Masters Takes an Essential Journey to Success; Asheville Entrepreneur Wins at Blending Cycling & Handcrafting Skincare Products

An Asheville, NC entrepreneur who's becoming a 'big wheel' in national cycling tour circles is marking National Bike Month by unveiling new skin-friendly products. SPF 15 Kiwi Lime Lube for the Lips is Kimberly Masters' newest "Essential Journeys" creation geared towards outdoor sports enthusiasts. Her story is the American Dream -- she's combined her passions, biking and handcrafting soaps, to create both a successful business and a joy-filled life.

Asheville, NC (PRWEB) May 20, 2009 -- Asheville entrepreneur and cycling enthusiast Kimberly Masters is racing through National Bike Month in high gear.

While many small businesses are going flat, Essential Journeys™, Kimberly's handcrafted Soap by the Slice™ company, is trending up 15% from this time last year. She's unveiling several innovative products, and she's also leading four cycling tours in 2009, including the new 6-day "Blue Ridge Rambler" through the Asheville area in September. On the home front, she and new husband David are still basking in the glow of their recent wedding.

One of her popular new soaps, "Mango Papaya Sunset," features a white dragonfly set in an orange block of fragrant essential oils and glycerin, and was inspired by her Nicaraguan honeymoon last September.

"Each trip is my 'research,'" said Masters, who gathers ideas for her growing number of "Soap by the Slice" and paraben-free skincare products through her international travels and bike tours. Thai Lemongrass soap, Lotion for the Body™ and Light for the Soul™ soy candles, for instance, have pure lemongrass essential oil. Her handcrafted Pomegranate products echo the soul of the Himalayas. Sandstone fragranced soap captures the splendor of Marrakech in a blend of Neroli and warm Sandalwood.

Just in time for National Bike Month she's released Kiwi Lime Lube for the Lips™, an SPF 15 natural lip balm with Vitamin E. The new lube joins Original, Vanilla Swirl and Peddlin' Peppermint, already popular with cyclists and other outdoor sports enthusiasts for their sun protection factor and generous dose of skin-soothing Vitamin E.

Masters is also debuting "Puzzle Soaps," interlocking pieces of soaps of different colors and scented with essential oils. Even youngsters who abhor bath time are being enticed into the tub to 'play themselves clean' with her creative alternative to traditional bars of soap.

On the cycling front, Masters is getting ready to lead June's WomanTours bike excursion through Amish country in Lancaster, PA. In August she's guiding cyclists on an Alaskan adventure. Later that month, it's up to Maine for a cycling tour through New England. The Asheville area tour rolls out in late September.

Participants, usually women in their 40s and 50s, cycle an average of 40 miles per day and stay in quaint bed and breakfast spots along their route. For the Alaskan journey, cyclists camp out under starry northern skies. Even beginners are encouraged to join the groups - they're sent information about getting into shape for the tours in advance, and a van follows the cyclists and picks up any exhausted peddlers signaling for a lift.

"There's a bond that develops among the cyclists," Masters said, "and a wide variety of reasons why they decide to join us. Some people want to lose weight, some want to sight-see, others want to continue friendships with people they've biked with on previous trips."

Cyclists range from people in their 20's all the way up to women in their 70s, Masters said. She gets a kick out of encouraging the bikers, and celebrating their victories as they pedal themselves beyond their comfort zone. Enhanced self-esteem is always one of the end results of a cycling tour.

Masters knows she's living the American dream. She's a wonderful "success story" of a young woman who's been able to combine her two passions -- biking and craft work -- for a very happy and fulfilling life journey that's taken her off the beaten path.

Kimberly's Essential Bike Safety Tips

1) Obey traffic signals, and use hand signals for turns.

2) Respect drivers as you approach a red light. Hold your place in line rather than passing cars to get up to the light first.

3) Bike on the right side of the road, with cars. Always remember you are a vehicle just like they are.

4) Be visible at all times by wearing bright clothing, and using a blinking light. The light is required at night or on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

5) Don't ride too close to parked cars; an unobservant driver may open their car door into you.

6) Always wear a properly fitted regulation bike helmet.

For more information about Essential Journeys,™ Makers of Soap by the Slice™, or to find the nearest retail location, visit Masters' website at http://www.essentialjourneys.com/home.html. For more information on the upcoming bicycle tours, contact Masters at kimberly @ essentialjourneys.com.

Essential Journeys™ is a woman-owned and operated company in Asheville, NC, handcrafting Soap by the Slice™ artisan soaps, paraben-free Lotion for the Body™, Light for the Soul™ Earth-friendly soy candles and Lube for the Lips™ SPF 15 lip moisturizer. Company Founder Kimberly Masters, a cycling enthusiast and bike tour leader, gathers inspiration for her products from her journeys around the world. Spas and boutiques throughout the nation carry her line of natural products. Visit her website at www.essentialjourneys.com for an e-catalogue of all the Essential Journey creations, and to find the nearest retail location.

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